After Day 5 of the first Test was washed out due to rain, the game was declared as a draw, India just needed 157 more runs to claim the first match of the five-match Test series. The second Test match will be played at the Lord’s on August 12, Thursday, the first ball will be played at 3:30 PM IST. After the first Test, the series is currently at 0-0.
The visiting Indian team will be heading into this fixture on the back of an excellent first Test, where all the departments chipped in whenever needed. The openers managed to get off to a start in both innings, the bowlers struck wickets and broke crucial partnerships. The most important takeaway for India was its tail which wagged at a game-defining stage of the match. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj conjured 46 runs in the first innings which helped them acquire a healthy lead. India needed 209 runs in the fourth innings, the tourists were cruising well for 52 at the loss of one wicket. On the final day, they needed 157, but the day was washed out without playing a single delivery.
England’s top order struggled before Joe Root came out for the rescue, he stitched partnerships with Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow which brought stability in their innings. As soon as the partnership between Root and Bairstow broke, the English batting line-up collapsed, they lost six wickets for 45 runs and set up a mere total of just 183 on the board. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were the stars with the ball for England, they ran through India’s middle-order after a terrific start. Anderson got rid of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli on consecutive deliveries. In the second innings, Root’s century guided the hosts to set up a target of 209 on Day 5.
Team News:
India: India will be missing out on the services of Shardul Thakur as the player has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. He is most likely to be replaced by Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI.
England: On the other hand, England received a big blow as Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the series due to torn right calf muscle. Anderson is also doubtful for the game as he has a tight quad muscle.